Packer



Aug. 12, 1930.

Y J. T. PHlPPs PACKER Filed Dec. 28, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 P y@ HT TURA/ EK Patented Aug. 12, 1930 UNITED STATE-s PATENT orf-Fica JOHN TfPHITPB, OiF HUNTINGTON PARK, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOB F ONE-FOURTH T0 HATTIE H.

PACKEB My invention relates to packers which are used in manyarts but, for the purpose of disclosure, my invention will be described as embodedin an oil'well packer.

In drilling oil wells and in reducing oils from these. wells it often comes quite advantageous to orni a seal atj some point down in the well between a ystring of well casingland a tubing' inserted therein. Such. 1 a seal is usually formed bg' arubber packer carried by'the tubing an expanded at the desired point `by a suitable mechanism. It is usual y desirable that these packers re main in lace an --indenite length of' time 15 during w ich the packer gradually adheres t0 the casing rather tenaciously. When it l becomes necessary to remove the packer, this is accomplished by pulling the tubing upward so that a shoulder formed theron abuts against the lower end of the packer so as to push it upward. The adhesion of the packer to the easing, however,A causes this upwar pressure to expand the acker so that it can -be displaced only by lifting with suicient force to tear the packer. topieces. Because of this difficulty of dislodgingthe packers in general use, there has developed a preju- -dice`against using them.

It is therefore an objectief my Ainvention to providea packer which may bef'easily dislodged from expanded position. A

Another object of my invention is to provide a packer havingameans for positively moving it between expanded and contracted positions. f

Furtheobjects and 'advantages will be made manifest in the following description and in the accompanying drawing in which a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated. l

' In the drawing: .Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view illustrating a packer embodying the packer in contracted position.V

Figl2 is a view similar toFig. 1, showing the packer in expanded position.

F1 ."3 to`7 inclusive are horizontal sectiona views taken on the' correspondingly 5 numberedlinesofFg. 1.

d a threaded bore 21 features of my invention and showing the is a side elevational view of a packof my invention, partially broshow, .the reinforcing member Fig. 8 ing member ken away to thereof.

.Referring specificallyto the drawinl the numeral -10 indicates diagrammatica ly a section of well casing, and extending downward intol the casing l0 is a tubing 11'. The casinglO and tubin 11 may be of any desired character .and or any desired purpose which may require that a seal be formed in an annular space 12 between the casing 10 and the tubin 11. In order to effect such a seal,I a packe 16, which embodies the features o my invention, is. connecte tubing1 11 when this is extended downward into t e casing 10. The packer 16 may be disposed'at the lower end of the tubing 11, or it may be disposed at any point intermediate the lower and upper ends of the tubing.

The packer 16 includes a head 2O havin which 4is screwed upwar d to the i onto the vlower end of that portion of the tubin 11 which is dis osed above the packer 16. rovided on the ead 20, to extend outward from the upperportion thereof, is a series of projections 22 which are space apart to provide channels 23, clearly illustrated in Fi 3, through which duid may pass around t e head 20. Provided in a pair of diametrically opposite ro'ections 22 are holes 24, for a urpdse to ge escribed later. Formed .upon t e ower portion of the head 2O is a tapering surface 26.

Threaded at its upper end and screwed :ip-

ward into the lower part of the threaded bore 21 is a tubular inner sleeve 28 which inside diameter equal to that of the tubing 11. Formed on the sleeve 28, to extend outward therefrom a short distance downward from the upper end thereof,is an annular stop-shoulder 2 9. The lower end of the sleeve 28 is threaded so as to receive a threaded eollar 30 by which it may be connected to other lengths of the tubing 11 which are disposed beneath the packer 16. Extending outward from the sleeve 28, near' the lower end thereof is a pair of diametrically o posed pins 33. is A about the sleeve is a tubular abutment member 35 having a bore 36 at its has anl lower end which slidably lits over a lower portion of the sleeve 28, and a counterbore 37 which slidabl ts over the stop-shoulder 29. Eormed on t e lower end of the abutment member 35 is a taperedsurface 40. Formed n the abutmentvmember 35, so as to extend outward therefrom at its uper end, are projections 42, clearly illustrated in Fi 4, forming open spaces 43 through whic fluid is adapted to pass .in flowing around the abut,

- ment member 35. The upper end of the abut- 35 in its' downmost position.

Slidably fitting over the lower portion of n the sleeve 28, below the lower end of the abutment member 35, is a short slip-sleeve 48 having slots 49 formed in opposite portions of the wall thereof. `Each slot 49 has a horizontal upper portion50 and a vertical lower portion 51, and connecting these portions is an oblique slot portion 52.

Connected at their lower ends to the sleeve 48 as b rivets '55 is a series of resilient arms 56 which are preferably four in number. Mounted on the'upper ends of the resilient arms 56 are slips 57 which have downwardly inclined teeth 58 formed on the outer surfaces thereof, and beveled surfaces 60 formed on the inner surfaces thereof. Secured at its lower end against each of the resilient arms 56 b the rivets'55 is one of a series of outwar ly curving springs 62, the upper end of each of which slidably contacts the resilient arm 56 to which it is connected at its lower end. The curved form of the springs 62 causes the central portion of each of these to frictionally engage an inner surface 65 of the casing 10.

Disposed about the upper end of the inner.

sleeve 28 is'an lannular acking member 68 which is formed of a resi ient material which is preferably rubber. Embedded in the packing member' 68 is a plurality of relatively heav reinforcing members 69 which are dispose spirally in the packing member or, in other words, obliquely relative-to the vertical airis of :the packing member .68. For

purposes of making the description clear, this axis will be referred to as the axis of contraction of the packi member 68. In the present embodiment, t e heavy reinforcing members 69 are two in number and the up er ends 70 thereof extend upward through t e holes 24 and threadedl receive nuts 71 uponv their uppei ends, whic nuts engagthe upper face o the head 20 when the pac "ng member 68 74, or they may be held in their relative posi tions to each other merely by being embedded in the packing member 68A whenthis is vulcanized. It will readily be seen that to apply pressure against the opposite ends of the packing member 68 on its axis of contraction causes the diameter of the screen formed by the light reinforcing members 72 and 73 to increase so as to expand the packing member 68. It is also pointed out that when the heavy reinforcing members 69 are drawn upwardly so as to tend to straighten these to a more nearly parallel position'relative to the axis' of contract-ion of the packing member 68, this member is caused to contract by the contraction of the screen formed by thepreinforcing members 69, 72, and 73.

The operation of the packerl is as follows: A

When the packer 16 is'llowered into the casing 10 upon the tubing 11, the sleeve 48 `is po-A sitioned uponthe inner sleeve 28 so that the ins 33 are disposed in the .upper portions 50 of the slots 49. This retains the slips 57 in their downward or retractedposition -relative to the Vabutment member 35 so that the teeth 58 do not engage the inner surface '65' of the casing 10 and thus permit the packer 16 to be readily lowered through the casing lO to the position where it is desired that a seal be formed byfthe packer.v When'the packer 16 has reachedthis position, the tubing '11' is rotated in a clockwise direction. This" rotates the pins 33 and, owing to the friction between the springs 62 and the cas'- ing 10, the sleeve 48 is held stationary and the pins 33 pass from theupper portion 50 of the'slot 49 through the diagonal portion 52 of this slot and into the lower portion 51 l thereof. As the sleeve 28 thus moves downward relative to the sleeve 48, the tapered surface-40, formed at the lower end of the abutment member 35, spreads the slips 57 so that the teeth 58 engage the inner surfaces 65 of the casing 10 and prevent further downward movement of the abutment member 35. The sleeve 28 may still move downward, however, by compressing the spring46 and as this is done, the packing member 68 contacts the abutment member 35 so that further downward movement of the sleeve 28 causes the tapered surface 26 of the head 20 to ex.- pand the packing member 68 into t1ghtengagement with the inner surface ofthe casing 10, as shown in Fig. 2.

. vAs the ex ansion of the packing member 68 is thus e ected, the upper ends 70 of the reinforcing member 69 slide upward through holes 24, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The expanded position ofthe packing member 68 is maintained bythe weight of the tubing 11 which is allowed to rest downward u pon th'e packer 16 until it becomes necessary to remove the packer. When a rubber packer is allowed to stay in position a certain length of time., it adheres to the inner surface of the casing in which it is -set so that it becomes exceedingly difiicult to remove the packer. This is especially true when the removal is attempted by upward pressure against the lower end of the packer, as the adhesion of the packer to the wall of the casing causes this upward pressure merely to expand the packer instead of loosening it fromA the cas- 'o release the packer 16, the tubing 11 is drawn upward Auntil the nuts 71 are positioned as shown in Fig. l', after which the ,contraction 'of the reinforcing members 69,

72, and 73 in the packing member 68 positively contract the packing member 68 away from the wall of the casing 10 into the position in which it is shown in Fig. 1.. Thus the packer 68 is not damaged in any way and a minimum` of upward pressure is required for effecting its removal from sealing position.

It is of coursevto be understood that the packing member of my invention may be used as a swab rubber -or in any piacevwhere a positively expanding and contracting packing member might be used to advantage.

l' claim as my invention:

1. In a packer, the combination of: an annular resilient packing member adapted to be disposed in the s ace between a casing and a tubing inserted t erein; relatively sti reinforcing members spirally embedded in said packing member; means or expanding said packing` member to form a seal in said space; and means for contracting said packing mem- 'er by drawing upon 'said reinforcing memers.

2. In a packer, the combination of: an annular resilient packing member adapted to be disposed in the space between a Casin and a tubing inserted therein; relativeiy sti spira?` reinforcing members disposed adjacent to and adapted to expand with and to exert a contracting force against said packing member; means for expanding said packing member to form a seal in said space; and means for contracting said packing member by drawing upon'said reinforcing members.

3. In a packer,.the combination of: a resilient packing member adapted to be disposed in a space enclosed by walls; relatively sti reinforcing members disposed obiiquely ,silient pac relative to an axis of contraction of said packer and adapted to expand with, and exert a contracting force against said packer; andl means for ydrawing upon said reinforcing members to cause a contraction of said packing member. i

4. In a ecker, the combination of: a re- Iking member adapted to be disposed in a space enclosed by walls; relatively stiff reinforcing members disposed obliquely relative to an axis of contraction of and embedded in said packer; and means for drawing upon said reinforcing membersl to cause a contraction of said packing member.

5. In a acker, the combination of: a resilient packing member adapted to be disposed in a space enclosed by walls; relatively stiff reinforcing members s irally embedded in said packer; and means or drawing upon said reinforcing members to cause a contraction of said packin member.

6. In a packer, t silient packing member adapted to be disosed in a4 space enclosed b walls; reinforclng. members disposed obliquely relative to an axis of contraction of said packer and adapted to expand with, and exert a contracting force against said packer; and means for drawing upon said reinforcing vmembers to effect a contraction of said packer.

7. In a acker, the combination of: a resilient pacring member adapted to be disposed in a space enclosed by walls; relatively stili reinforcing members disposed obliquely relative to an axis of contraction of said packer and adapted to expand and contract with said packer; and means for moving said e combination of: a rereinforcing members so that said members 'exert an expansive or contractive eort against said packing member.

8.'A combination as in claim 1 in which certain of said reinforcing members are disposed in crossing relation with other of said reinorcing members. i

9. A combination asin claim 2 in' which certain of said reinforcing members are disposed in crossing relation with other of said reinforcing members.

10. A combination as 1n claim 3 in which vcertain of said reinforcing members are disiso certain of said reinforcing members are disposed in crossin relation with other of said reinforcing mem ers.

- 15. In a` acker, the combination of: a body; apacring member mounted on said body; means for insertin said packer any desired distance into a con ned space; a series of projections extending radiall from said ybody for --centralizing said pac er in said space as it is bein inserted thereinto so that said packing mem er will not rub on a Wall confining sald space; and means on said body for expanding said ackin member into sealing engagement with sai walls when said packer has reached a desired position in said space. l A

In testimon whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at s Angeles, California, this 22nd day of December, 1927.

f" JOHN T. PHIPPS; 

